Reports have emerged in the media recently of software development companies that have been subject to adverse R&D Tax Compliance proceedings. Whilst the benefits available under the R&D Tax Incentive are significant, these reports affirm the need to ensure R&D claims are completed with diligence, and in accordance with the current reporting expectations. Recent publications from ATO and AusIndustry on software development activities have highlighted current regulatory compliance focuses, which include the need to: Detail the specific hypothesis, or central […]
On 12 September 2018, Moreton Resources Ltd announced on the ASX that the Administrative Appeals Tribunal (AAT) recently affirmed a decision by Innovation and Science Australia (ISA) that registered R&D activities were not eligible. This was decided on the basis that underground coal gasification is a known and proven technology and is therefore not considered a research and development activity, as defined by the 1997 Income Tax Assessment Act. The AAT have issued an amended assessment for $9M. Moreton Resources […]
Sixty million people are fed by Australian farming exports. With an ever-increasing global population, innovation in agriculture is essential to a sustainable future. However, the changes to the R&D tax incentive announced in the 2018 Federal Budget may be disadvantageous for industries like agribusiness. Up to 12,000 Australian companies could be affected by the R&D intensity change, which proposes that companies spend at least one percent of total business expenditure on R&D to qualify for the non-refundable tax offset. The […]
In response to the recommendations in the ‘2016 Review of the R&D Tax incentive’ the government has announced proposed R&D Tax Incentive changes within the 2018-19 Federal Budget released yesterday, 8 May 2018. The changes take on board some recommendations from ISA’s previous review of the programme, along with some of the government’s own savings and integrity measures. The R&D Tax Offset rate will change, commencing for years on or after 1 July 2018. For companies claiming the refundable offset with […]